Macau - part 4 of 4

 

氹仔 (Dàngzǎi) Taipa

Taipa 氹仔 is the north part of the Taipa/Cotai/Coloane area. Separated from the Macau Peninsula by ocean. Rua do Cunha (官也街) is one of the most famous and vibrant streets in Macau, located in the heart of Taipa Village. It's renowned for its concentration of local snacks, traditional shops, and its charming atmosphere. Since it is in walking distance from the hotel we stay, we just check out and leave the baggages with the hotel. Thus we have a full day to explore the area and take the flight back home at night.

We first walk through Venetian from south to north.

Cannot be more familiar with these recreated picture-perfect scenes inside the building.

Out of the resort area, across the street (望德聖母灣大馬路), come a wetland called Wetland in Avenida da Praia, Paipa. "Avenida da Praia" literally translates from Portuguese to "Beach Avenue". Maybe it was a beach in the past before it turns to a wetland.

Wetland in Avenida da Praia, Paipa

 "Avenida da Praia"（海灘大馬路）因其彎曲的形狀而被形象地稱為「龍環」。「葡韻」指的是位於龍環沿線的「龍環葡韻住宅式博物館 (Casas-Museu da Taipa)」。

On one side (left) of the wetland, a long strip of walkway for people used to the casino lifestyle. Other than that I see no reason for it. 

There are five Portuguese houses along the wetland declared as museum (Casas-Museu da Taipa) and showcase the area's architecture and artifacts. These five charming green Portuguese-style houses were built in 1921 and were former residences of Portuguese officials.

Casas-Museu da Taipa

To the left is Rua do Cunha (官也街) where we have lunch in a Portuguese restaurant.

Pork spare ribs, baked bacalhau rice, and ox-tail soup

Ox-tail au Sherry soup although not unique to Portuguese, it is a popular one in Portuguese restaurant. With tender oxtails braised in a rich sauce made with sherry wine, this is a deep savory and rich dish.

The spare ribs is tasty but not that unique except the sauce reminds me the sauce from Lee Kum Kee (李錦記).

Baked bacalhau rice is a popular and comforting Portuguese cuisine. This dish beautifully combines the distinctive flavor of salt cod with the satisfying texture of rice, all baked together to create a flavorful and often slightly creamy meal. Now you know bacalhau (馬介休) is the Portuguese word for cod, and in a culinary context, it almost always refers to dried and salted cod. However, I didn't know that then and confused the dish with another one called braised duck rice. We should have ordered the fried bacalhau balls instead.

With stomach full, let's talk about Rua do Cunha (官也街), also known as Cunha Street. It is named after Pedro Alexandrino da Cunha, a captain of the Portuguese Navy who briefly served as the 81st Governor of Macau. Today, it is a food paradise, offering a wide array of Macanese and Chinese snacks and delicacies. Popular treats include almond cookies, egg tarts, pork chop buns, durian ice cream, and peanut candy.

Sei Kee Cafe 世紀咖啡 has been recognized by the Michelin Guide from 2019-2021. It is known for its affordable and delicious local cuisine, particularly its milk tea, claypot brewed coffee, and pork chop buns. When milk tea is served, it comes with a sand drop. You pour in the hot water after the sand drop is done (in about 3 min).

milk tea (far), claypot brewed coffee (near), and pork chop buns with eggs (right)

More in the area:

Snack shops

冰室 is cafe, 小飛象葡國餐 is also popular on the Internet

Also worth visiting is the old Yilong firecracker factory site (益隆炮竹廠). The firecracker industry was once one of Macau's main handicraft industries. Risky but with high profit.

Yilong firecracker factory (益隆炮竹廠)

The other one is Our Lady of Carmel Church (嘉模聖母堂). This is the only Catholic Church in Taipa. It was built in 1885, symbolizes the arrival and presence of the Portuguese in Taipa.

Our Lady of Carmel Church (嘉模聖母堂)

Time to go back home. There is free shuttle buses going back and forth between resorts and airport. Very convenient. This is what the casino tycoon 何鴻燊 once said, they are not worry if you are smart or dumb, they just concern if you don't come here (to gamble)「唔怕你精，唔怕你呆，就怕你唔來！」

Other pictures of interest in Rua do Cunha (官也街) area.

Templo de Tin Hau/天后宮. incense not in sticks form 

木偶葡國餐廳 is another popular one on the Internet